The following tables and graphs were assembled to provide Twin Citians with historical climatological context
upon which to base decisions related to snowfall. For example, a snow removal contractor and their customer might
use the tables below to determine whether a seasonal flat-fee, or a per-visit charge is in the interest of both parties.
Assuming that it is agreed that a two-inch snowfall is "plowable", the Days with Snowfall ... 2.0 inches and greater
table below indicates that on average, a "plowable" snowfall occurs in the Twin Cities 7.4 days per season, with a standard
deviation (a measure of variability) of 3.43 days. In tandem, these statistics inform users that during most seasons (two-thirds of all seasons), the
metropolitan area receives two or more inches of snow between four and eleven times. The table also indicates
that decision makers should account for the fact that the Twin Cities has had seasons with as many as 16 days of "plowable" snow, and as few as
one day of "plowable" snow.

The data are comprised of a mosaic of 120 seasons of snow data gathered in downtown Minneapolis (1891-1938), the
Twin Cities International Airport (1938-2000, 2004-2011), and the Chanhassen National Weather Service Forecast Office (2000 to 2004).

Number of Days with Snowfall of 0.1 inch (measureable) and greater (1891 through 2011)

Note: The 1981-2010 annual snowfall normal for the Twin Cities is 54.0 inches, which is 7.4 inches more than the
120-year long-term average of 46.6 inches. The 30-year period, 1981-2010 is used in many climate summaries as a
historical benchmark.